Holbrooke Says Washington Has a "Weak Understanding" of The Taliban - Video 4/9/09

Here is a video report on U.S. Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke who said yesterday that he is "deeply disturbed" by Washington's "weak understanding" of the enemy we face in the Taliban. Holbrooke reportedly made the remark to reporters off-camera.

The report says Holbrooke intended the statement as a swipe at the Bush Administration, and feels the Obama Administration is dedicated to a better understanding of the Taliban. He believes the 8 billion in aid to Pakistan will go a long way to changing the "militant mindset." Yet in the report, they talk to an expert who says The Taliban do not care at all about life and are willing to die in their cause. I believe Holbrooke is right about Washington not understanding the enemy we face in The Taliban. But it's the Obama Administration, who seems committed to trying to "make nice" with the more moderate Taliban (that's a contradiction in terms), who have a "weak understanding" of our enemy, which is deeply disturbing.